What is Nocturnal Polyuria?Nocturnal Polyuria affects approximately 3% of the elderly population with no gender difference. It can be caused by a disturbance in the hormone vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion from the pituitary gland in the brain especially during the night.
Normally vasopressin increases water absorption within the kidneys and a lack of it causes increase in urine volume. In patients with diabetes insipidus there is a general deficiency of the hormone ADH whereas in nocturnal polyuria the hormone level is specifically decreased in the night.
Nocturnal polyuria can also occur due to other causes, like taking medications, consuming caffeine or alcohol or excess intake of water in the evening or night, heart failure and due to sleep apnea. In diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus there is polyuria both in the day and night.
In nocturnal polyuria the 24-h urine output or diuresis is normal or only slightly increased but the shift of diuresis from daytime to the night results in disturbance with the quality of sleep and this causes tiredness during the day and decreases not only work efficiency of the person but also makes them prone to diseases.
To calculate total urine output please download our Voiding Diary Form
What is a Voiding Diary?
A frequency volume chart or a voiding diary measures fluid intake and urine output of a person during a 24 hour period. This calculation helps doctors to understand input and output of fluids and the resulting frequency and the volume of urine passed. It normally should be completed over 3 to 5 consecutive days to diagnose the problem.
The main columns in a voiding diary should be filled and the time noted. Other information that can be added if symptoms are present is about any urine leakages that may happen due to urgency or otherwise.
Fluid Intake: This is the total amount of fluids consumed (Milliliters or ounces) during a 24 hour period.
Time of Day: Every time you pass urine, mark the time next to the appropriate hour time slot when it occurred.
Toilet Voids or Urine output: This is the amount of urine voided each time during the day or the night. Every time you pass urine measure the amount in a measuring jug and record the volume (in Milliliters or Ounces).
Leakage or wetness: Put a check mark in the wet column each time involuntary urine loss occurs (even if it is a small amount) before you made it to the toilet.
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